The Daily Writer

Have you ever noticed that some of the most important things we do in life are counterintuitive? They go against our human nature and feel uncomfortable to us. Our guest on this episode is Stephanie Winslow, and she is going to share a lot of wisdom about letting go … which is counterintuitive and usually uncomfortable. As creatives, we like to have control, but she will share her powerful story o...

It’s tempting to think of the creative life as a solitary endeavor. We picture an artist standing at an easel, a musician playing in a studio, or a writer sitting at a desk. But my guest today reminds us that it’s vital to build your community no matter what type of creative work you do. Her name is Jennifer Harshman, and she is the owner of Harshman Services. Jennifer coaches and consults with su...

Think about this simple yet complex question: What is the source of your identity as a person? Is it your DNA? Your family name? Your personality, talents, titles, or achievements? My guest today gives us a surprising answer. He says that we are who we are because of our … memories. His name is Casey Tygrett, who is a writer and speaker living near Chicago, Illinois. He is the author of two books,...

When you hear the word “wealthy,” what image comes to mind? Do you picture someone living in a huge mansion on a hill, surrounded by butlers? Does the word “wealthy” create a negative picture when you hear it? Are there other ways to be wealthy besides just your finances? Money is a sensitive topic, especially for artists and creative entrepreneurs. But my guest today helps give a broader and much...

Do you ever feel like you’re caught between where you are and where you want to be? Are you frustrated because you see your potential, but you feel stuck in the present moment with no clear way forward? If so, you will love this amazing conversation that I have in store for you. My guest today is Stephanie O’Brien-Martin. She is the founder of Moved by Purpose, and she coaches Christ-centered lead...

One of the biggest needs of the human spirit is to have hope in the midst of difficult situations. Our guest today, Abdi Warsame, is a survivor of the civil war in Somalia who will share his story and help us develop a better understanding of issues related to disability. To read the full show notes, visit http://kentsanders.net/hope .

What does it mean to be an entrepreneur? At its core, it’s all about control. The whole idea of entrepreneurship is about taking control instead of giving it up. For artists and creatives, that can be a scary concept since we are often more comfortable creating things than thinking making decisions or thinking about the picture. Today’s guest is the perfect person to help us think through what it...

In her excellent book Walking on Water , the author Madeleine L’Engle wrote, "Jesus was not a theologian. He was God who told stories.” Storytelling was not only a major focus of Jesus’ ministry, it’s also a signifigant part of our calling as artists and creatives. Today’s guest helps us expand our vision as creative storytellers as we talk about music, imagination, invention, worship, and wr...

Creativity is a multi-faceted and multi-dimensional topic. Yet at the end of the day, we operate by one simple truth: God is ultimately the source of our creative powers. The whole point of our lives is to honor Him with our creative gifts. That’s why it’s foundational to have a robust and meaningful worship life. I’m honored today to share a conversation with a friend who gives us practical guida...

Let’s begin with a riddle: When is the perfect time to make your creative work a priority? Answer: There is no perfect time. Life is messy, and if we put off our important creative work until the “right time,” that time will never come. Our guest today knows that dilemma very well, and as a successful realtor, mother, and wife, she still found time to pursue her creativity. As you hear her story,...

Most of the time on this show, we focus on helping you be a better creative entrepreneur. Today we are turning the tables and talking about how we can help our kids be more creative. We have the privilege and responsibility to help the next generation fulfill their God-given creative potential. Whether you are a parent, pastor, teacher, or youth worker, today’s amazing guest will share lots of pra...

As artists and entrepreneurs, we face the constant struggle of how to best use our time. We not only want to produce great creative work, we also have jobs, families, customers or clients, church and community responsibilities … and sleep! It’s far too easy to forget that we need to feed our souls with great art. Our guest today shares her story of becoming an amazing artist, and why we need to co...

Imagine that you and I are having coffee together, and I looked across the table at you and said, “Give me a clear summary of what you do in 1-2 sentences” … what would you say? If you would struggle to answer that question, you have a clarity problem. I can relate, because this is an area where I have struggled as well. We’re in luck because our guest today shares a massive amount of wisdom and p...

We become artists for a variety of reasons. Many of us, perhaps even most of us, are drawn to the stage because we want to escape from ourselves. But what if becoming an artist was all about the journey to discover your authentic self? Today’s guest shares her fascinating story through music, recovery, faith, and the creative arts in the pursuit of discovering her true self. I’m thrilled to bring...

I recently read that around 68% of U.S. households own a pet, which includes 60 millions households that own a dog. If you don’t own a dog, I’m sure you know someone who does. On today’s episode, our guest helps unlock the surprising ways that owning a dog can boost your creativity and improve your life. I’m excited to share my conversation with Faye Ruch from DogLifeMadeBetter.com . Faye is on a...

One of the key questions we ask ourselves as artists is, “How can I be more productive?” We all want the ability to produce more writing, music, art, or other creative work. But how do we actually do it? Are there systems we can implement to help us be more productive? What is the mindset required to produce more creative work? Our guest today addresses all these issues and much more … and the ans...

How well do you truly know yourself? If you and I were really honest, we would have to admit we probably don’t know ourselves as well as we think. Self-knowledge is critical if we are going to do the work we are called to do. On today’s episode, my friend Teresa McCloy walks us through the Enneagram, a fantastic tool to help us know ourselves, impact the world, and do better creative work. Teresa...

It’s been said that over 80% of people want to write a book. However, there is a big difference between wanting to write and actually doing it. If you ever wanted to write a book but aren’t sure how it can benefit your life or how to get started, my guest today will give you the inspiration and practical steps to make your writing dream a reality. Eric Elder is an author, speaker, and contemporary...

This is the first week of 2019, so it’s very likely that you are thinking about changes you want to make in your life. If your goal is get healthier, more fit, or lose weight in 2019, this episode is for you. Today’s guest shares lots of great information and inspiration to help you become the best version of yourself. It’s time to get serious about your health! To read the full show notes, visit...

For as long as I can remember, I have set aside time at the end of December, or early January, to reflect on the previous year. However, it’s usually been somewhat of a haphazard process with no real direction. Over the last couple of years, I have started to do a more intentional annual review. Here are my thoughts on 2018 and what’s in store for 2019. To read the full show notes, visit http://ke...

When you hear the term “classic literature,” what comes to mind? Most people think of books that were written by a bunch of dead white guys and wonder how they are relevant to us today. Today’s guest will help you understand that the classics are much broader than that narrow definition, and why they are essential to your creative life today. I’m excited to bring you my conversation with Anne Sher...

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is a heartwarming story of redemption that keeps our interest with a lot of twists and turns. But what if we add a twist of our own? What if George Bailey had dared to dream bigger dreams and left Bedford Falls? To read the full show notes, visit  http://kentsanders.net/george . 

A dream is like a knife. It’s very powerful when you use it the right way. But if you’re careless with it, you can do a lot of harm to yourself and others. Today’s guest helps us view our dreams in the correct light so we can chase them in a God-honoring way that blesses our families and brings more value into the world. I’m excited today to be speaking with Zech Newman. He is a husband, father of...

A number of years ago, the country group Rascal Flatts released a song called “These Days.” It tells the story of a guy in a small town who accidentally runs into an old flame. She has since moved on with her life, but he can’t stop dreaming about her.   In verse 1 he sings,   Yeah, life throws you curves, But you learned to swerve. Me, I swung and I missed and the next thing you know, I’m reminis...

I started listening to podcasts around 2006, when podcasting was still in its infancy. Now, well over ten years later, podcasting has exploded in popularity, with literally tens of thousands of podcasts to choose from. Maybe you have considered adding your voice to the mix and starting your own show. If so, this episode is for you! I’m thrilled today to bring you this conversation with my good fri...